Murray-mania ahead of Open showdown

Butcher John Hill dressed in tennis gear in Dunblane High Street
12 April 2012

Britain is cheering on Andy Murray as he takes on world number one Roger Federer in a showdown that could earn him his first grand slam title.

Millions of tennis fans are watching the 22-year-old Scot compete against his Swiss rival in the climax of the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Murray said he will have to play his "best match ever" to defeat Federer who has 15 major titles under his belt.

He will be hoping for a different outcome to his previous grand slam final at the US Open in New York in 2008 when he suffered a straight-sets loss against the six-times Wimbledon winner.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond voiced their support for the British number one from Dunblane, Perthshire, ahead of the crunch match.

Murray said on Friday: "I'm going to need to play my best match ever. That's what I plan on doing. I'll try and play my best. If I do, I've got a good chance of winning."

Despite his opponent's daunting grand slam history, Murray is one of a few players who has a winning record against Federer.

He holds a 6-4 advantage against the Swiss and since their meeting at the US Open he has won four out of the six matches they have played on tour.

His father Will said he will be a "different player" this time round and Murray himself said he is more physically and mentally mature.

Wishing the sports star luck ahead of the match, Mr Salmond said: "He has been improving in every round of the tournament so far and he has a great chance of winning his first major title. Andy has the game and the guts to win."

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